La Russa preparing for HOF induction

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — Surrounded by statues of the game’s greats, Tony La Russa was simply awe-struck as he contemplated his place in baseball history.

“I’m getting overwhelmed,” the former manager said Thursday after touring the Baseball Hall of Fame in preparation for his induction this summer. “When you get over the overwhelming, you try to sort out the impressions.”

“I’m looking at Babe Ruth over there, and I look over here and there’s Ted Williams. There’s Tony La Russa. You’ve got to be kidding,” he said. “It’s really difficult because this is an overwhelming place, especially when you go see the archives.”

The 69-year-old La Russa is the third-winningest manager in the majors, leading Oakland to the 1989 World Series title and the St. Louis Cardinals to championships in 2006 and 2011.

La Russa was unanimously elected in December by the Hall of Fame’s expansion-era committee along with former managerial colleagues Bobby Cox and Joe Torre.

Jerry Manuel gets increased role with MLB group

NEW YORK (AP) — Former major league manager Jerry Manuel is taking on an increased role with Major League Baseball’s on-field diversity task force.

The commissioner’s office said Thursday that Manuel will oversee the group’s day-to-day efforts.

Manuel managed the Chicago White Sox and New York Mets after playing five years in the majors as an infielder. Detroit Tigers President Dave Dombrowski is chairman of the task force.

MLB has been concerned about the declining number at all levels of minority players, particularly African-Americans.

Among other initiatives, baseball wants to work with current and former big leaguers who could be coaches and youth leaders in urban communities.